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5 most-expensive House races

Liberal favorite Bera is getting air support from a handful of progressive-minded groups, including AFSCME, the League of Conservation Voters, SEIU and the Sierra Club, which have invested over $1.8 million to put him over the top. A physician, Bera is also receiving help from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which is spending $20,000 on the airwaves.

The biggest Republican investors are the National Republican Congressional Committee and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which have combined to spend more than $1 million.

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3. Pennsylvania’s 12th District: $3.5 million

Organized labor has emerged as one of Rep. Mark Critz’s most aggressive supporters — during his springtime primary duel with fellow Democratic Rep. Jason Altmire, union groups helped to push the freshman lawmaker over the top.

Now labor — long a powerful force in southwestern Pennsylvania politics — is coming to Critz’s rescue in the general election. Union organizations have invested more than $1.4 million on his behalf in the Pittsburgh media market, airing a battery of commercials hammering Critz’s Republican opponent, attorney Keith Rothfus.

But Republicans, who view the Democratic incumbent as a ripe target after he escaped with a close victory in the 2010 midterms, are plowing in cash as well. The NRCC has spent more than $1.1 million, and the YG Action Fund, a group tied to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, has spent an additional $530,000.

Democrats are narrowly outspending Republicans in the race — which is perhaps the most competitive battle in Pennsylvania — $1.9 million to $1.6 million.

4. Minnesota’s 8th District: $3.3 million

There are nine Democratic groups battering GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack on the airwaves in Minnesota’s Iron Range — an indication of the size of the target on his back.

Cravaack, a freshman lawmaker, faces the tough proposition of running for reelection in a district that favors Democrats. That’s attracted a team of outside groups, which have combined to shell out more than $2 million — far outpacing the Republicans who are coming to Cravaack’s rescue.

The biggest Democratic spenders: AFSCME, House Majority PAC and the DCCC — each of which has spent over $400,000.

Republicans aren’t leaving Cravaack out to dry, however. The NRCC has provided more than $700,000 in air cover, while a GOP-allied group, the American Action Network, has invested more than $500,000.

5. North Carolina’s 7th District: $3 million

Republicans see an opportunity to dislodge North Carolina Rep. Mike McIntyre, who finds himself in a much less friendly district in 2012.

McIntyre — one of the last surviving Blue Dog Democrats — is running in a district that has a substantial Republican registration advantage, making him one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the country.

Two groups — the NRCC and YG Action Fund — have poured more than $2 million in a bid to unseat the Democrat.

But Democrats haven’t given up on McIntyre, who proved his political chops after winning reelection in a 2010 midterm election that otherwise wiped out the ranks of Southern Democrats. The DCCC and House Majority PAC are combining to spend just south of $1 million to support him.

Readers' Comments (3)

DUOPOLY AND CORPORATIONS ARE THE BIG WINNERS IN THIS disgusting flood of money making corporation tv, print and radio flush with cash.... imagine if labor spread out more evenly money in SC # 1 a few hundred thousand for Bobbie Rose to defeat extremist frosh Rethuglican Tim Scott ? iNSTEAD these top 5 House seats only serve to eke out congressional committee fiefdoms NO NET CHANGE for working families or curbing corporations bribing incumbents 843-926-1750 www.hireLarryFireBobby.com ousting the nations most corrupt of all 49 state houses Speaker Bobby Harrell @VoteLarryDis114 @Greens926_1750 call 843-926-1750 Larry

Speaker Bobby Harrell flush with 6 million from Adelson gave FtWorthless Newt Gingrich the January S Carolina Rethuglican primary victory over 41% in crowded field over 5 candidates active.... Bobby Harrell has been stealing campaign slush funds in his 3 PAC's he controls and bought a million dollar luxury airplane 4 seater he flies to Columbia from Charleston and about the US airways billing 900 BUCK$ a trip for a 200 dollar max fuel and landing fees 'RECEIPT' he refuses to LEGALLY PROVIDE TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION meaning he's paying off the plane financing as a sub-contractor to his Palmetto Leadership PAC, personal campaign account and functional head of the S Carolina Rethuglican Party/Chamber of Commerce..... he like Nimrata Haley faces expulsion from their jobs by their own party for extremism and personal corruption.... www.hireLarryFireBobby.com and I support Dr Jill Stein in the real debates tonight from Denver ALL 4 PRESIDENTIAL MATCHING FUNDS CANDIDATES WILL BE SEEN LIVE ON DEMOCRACY NOW OR FREESPEECH TV CABLECASTS, SATELLITE OR WEBSITES AS YOU CHOOSE to hear the 1st two answers from Mittless & Obusha live THE REST TAPE DELAYED MAKING TIME FOR GOVERNOR GARY JOHNSON & @JillStein2012 to have equal LIVE TIME... 843-926-1750 UNIONS SAVE LIVES Rethuglicans killed 9 firefighters without UNION SAFE EQUIPMENT AND UNION SAVE WORK CONTRACTS still illegal in S Carolina for all but federal unions here

What about the House race in the California 30th in which incumbent representatives Howard Berman and Brad Sherman, both Democrats, advanced from the primary and are now, because of redistricting, facing each other in the general election. Both have raised--and spent a lot of money. This race in the Los Angeles market would seem to be the most expensive in the country.